The oldest of six siblings, Adams was raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Sterling High School in Houston in 1979. After graduating from University of California Berkeley, she began a career as a schoolteacher and part-time model in Houston, Texas. Eventually she gave up teaching to perform full-time as a lead singer.
Musical career;
Beginnings;
Adams attracted the attention of Thomas Whitfield and Sound of Gospel Records as a lead singer in the Southeast Inspirational Choir. She signed a recording contract with Sound of Gospel which yielded her first album Just As I Am in 1987.[4] In 1990, she signed to Ben Tankard's independent label Tribute Records and released Through The Storm.
Two years later, Adams followed with Save the World, which included her first signature song "The Battle Is The Lord's". Her next release was 1995's More Than A Melody, which featured production work from Ben Tankard, O'Landa Draper, and BeBe Winans. The single "Gotta Have Love," from that album featuring Tony Terry on background vocals, gained mainstream notoriety and was her first single and music video. Yolanda... Live In Washington, released the following year, featured versions of material from her first two albums. The footage from this recording was released as a collection of two videos on VHS initially, and later as a single set on DVD.
Songs from the Heart was her final release for Verity Records and included "Only Believe" which was popular songs on contemporary radio. The album also included "Still I Rise," a dedication to Rosa Parks which was inspired by the Maya Angelou poem of the same name.
"Fragile Heart", was dedicated to the memory of Yolanda's long time road manager who died in 1998. Adams' first significant attention outside the urban contemporary gospel arena came with the release of Mountain High... Valley Low in 1999 on Elektra Records. Several mainstream artists and producers helped in the production of this album including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men), James "Big Jim" Wright (Mariah Carey, Nicole C. Mullen), Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Brandy), and Keith Thomas (BeBe & CeCe Winans). The album went Platinum in 2000 and won her a Grammy Award. Notable singles from the album include Yeah", "Fragile Heart", and "Open My Heart".
In 2000, Adams released a Christmas album, and in 2001 she released a live album (The Experience). The Experience netted Adams a second Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. Believe, which included the hit "Never Give Up" was released in 2001. She would later go on to perform this song at "The Salute to Gospel Music" at the White House during President George W. Bush's administration. Believe was certified Gold in 2002. The Divas Of Gospel, with Albertina Walker (queen of gospel), was also released in 2001.
Yolanda recorded a song for the 2003 film, Honey titled "I Believe" that played during the last scene in the final dance.
Adams was also a judge for the 2nd annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.
Back after break;
After nearly four years without releasing an album, Adams returned in 2005 with Day By Day. Although charting higher than Mountain High...Valley Low on the Billboard 100, and Billboard R&B Albums Chart, It didn't get a RIAA certification. The album featured the singles "Be Blessed," "Someone Watching Over You," "This Too Shall Pass", and "Victory" which was prominently featured in the movie The Gospel. After ending her long association with Atlantic Records, They released a greatest hits collection entitled The Best of Me in May 2007. Adams signed with Columbia Records in 2007. Columbia released What a Wonderful Time, her second holiday collection in October 2007. "Hold On" was released as the lead single.
2008-Present;
In 2007 after releasing her holiday album with Columbia, She stated in different interviews that she was currently in the planning stages for a new album. Her official website states that it will be a duets project including possible collaborations with Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Natalie Cole, Trin-i-Tee 5:7, and Mary Mary. In a interview with Commercial Appeal. Adams stated that Chaka Khan, and Shirley Caesar might be on the new project also. In March 2009, she was interview by a FOX station in Houston, where she stated that her women's clothing line and new album is still in progress. The new album is currently untitled, and will be out in the last quarter of the year. She stated that the new album will be full of dance tracks. Adams' may do a secular album in the future.
Adams' song "Hold On" is included in a compilation in support of Barack Obama's campaign entitled 'Yes We Can: Voices of a Grass Roots Movement'.
Adams performed the National Anthem at the 2009 BCS National Championship game between the #1 University of Florida and #2 University of Oklahoma in Dolphin Stadium (Miami, Florida).
Personal life;
In 1997, Yolanda Adams married former NFL player Tim Crawford. The couple divorced in August 2004. They had one daughter, Taylor Ayanna, in 2001. Yolanda served as a spokesperson for the FILA Corporation's Operation Rebound, a program that addressed the concern of inner city schoolchildren. On October 15, 2008, Yolanda Adams' mother Carolyn Jean Adams died.
Fo' Sho'
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You may see me laughing
You may see me crying
But you won't see me give up
I'll just keep on trying
Though sometimes it get hard
Hard to see my way
But I've got you in my life
[chorus]
Looks comes today
When you have treat me this way
And I thank you lord for treating me so good
There are times when I get scared
But I'll know that you'll be there
And you'll pull me out of it fo'sho
[verse 2]
There are times I'm up
There are times I'm down
There are times I'm smiling
There are times I'm frown
Sometimes I've done wrong
But I still sing my song
Even when I'm weak, I know you make me strong
[Chorus 2]
Ooh fo sho... fo sho
Fo sho...fo sho
Things are gonna work out fo sho
Ooh fo sho
Fo sho
Fo sho; fo sho
Things are gonna work out fo sho
[Verse 3]
I've learned how to do with
How to do without
When to shut my mouth
When to speck out loud
I'm happy to know
I have you as my friend
Others will come and go but
You'll be there till the end
[chorus 2]
[chorus 1]
[chorus 2 repeating...]
The song "Fo' Sho'" by Yolanda Adams/Karen Clark Sheard talks about the presence of God in one's life and how it has helped the singer navigate life's challenges. The opening lines of the first verse, “You may see me laughing, you may see me crying, but you won't see me give up, I'll just keep on trying, though sometimes it gets hard, hard to see my way” expresses the difficulties of life and how one's faith can provide strength, comfort, and help one keep going. The lyrics further emphasize the importance of God with lines such as “But I've got you in my life, it makes it all ok” and “I’ll know that you’ll be there and you’ll pull me out of it fo’ sho”.
The chorus reinforces the message of the song with lines such as “And I thank you Lord for treating me so good” and “things are gonna work out fo sho”, highlighting the faith of the singer in God’s protection and divine plan for their life. The third verse talks about how the singer has learned to cope with life and how God has been a constant and dependable friend even though “others will come and go”.
Line by Line Meaning
You may see me laughing
You may witness me showing joy
You may see me crying
You may observe me shedding tears
But you won't see me give up
But surrender is not something you'll see me do
I'll just keep on trying
I will continue exerting effort
Though sometimes it get hard
Even though things can become challenging
Hard to see my way
Difficult to perceive my direction
But I've got you in my life
Knowing you're in my life
It's makes it all ok
Makes everything alright
Looks comes today
Today may bring appearances
When you have treat me this way
When you have treated me in this manner
And I thank you lord for treating me so good
And I express gratitude to the Lord for your kindness
There are times when I get scared
Moments arise when I feel fearful
But I'll know that you'll be there
But I acknowledge that you'll be present
And you'll pull me out of it fo'sho
And with certainty, you'll rescue me from it
There are times I'm up
Instances surface where I'm elevated
There are times I'm down
Times exist when I'm lowered
There are times I'm smiling
There are moments when I'm beaming
There are times I'm frown
There are occasions when I'm frowning
Sometimes I've done wrong
Occasionally, I've committed errors
But I still sing my song
Nonetheless, I continue to sing my melody
Even when I'm weak, I know you make me strong
Even when I falter, I'm aware you empower me
Ooh fo sho... fo sho
Oh for sure... for sure
Things are gonna work out fo sho
Circumstances will unfold in a positive manner, for sure
I've learned how to do with
I've acquired knowledge of how to manage
How to do without
How to cope without something
When to shut my mouth
When to remain quiet
When to speck out loud
When to express my thoughts audibly
I'm happy to know
I'm contented to recognize
I have you as my friend
That I possess you as my confidant
Others will come and go but
Some will depart while others arrive but
You'll be there till the end
You'll be present at the conclusion
[chorus 2]
Repeating chorus 2
[chorus 1]
Chorus 1
[chorus 2 repeating...]
Repeating chorus 2
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY S. CRAWFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind